NRL Round 26
0By Stephen Gallagher
THURSDAY: Panthers V Eels – PointsBet Stadium – 21.50NZT
For the second season in a row, the Eels play the Panthers in their last game of the year.
This time, it’s a week before the regular season ends, as they finish 2023 with a bye and a disappointing campaign.
Penrith have had the luxury to bring players in and out over the last couple of weeks and have a couple of injuries lingering too.
The Eels will want to at least head to the foot of the Blue Mountains and retain some pride, but after what they’ve thrown out in the last two weeks that’s hard to imagine.
Penrith are far too clinical, and even if the scoreboard is close – they will be far too good for Parramatta.
TIP: Panthers 13+
FRIDAY: Warriors V Dragons – Go Media Mount Smart Stadium – 20.00NZT
Another niggly game for the Warriors this week. The Dragons have been struggling to win, but they have never struggled to compete and take their opponents to the end of every game.
The Warriors have been dragged into games like this over the last three weeks, and will have to be ready once again for this.
In what could be their seventh straight win, the Wahs have named the same 17 as last week.
Lomax back for the Red V, and will look to exploit the Warriors left side defence, which has been caught out recently.
TIP: Warriors 1-12
Dolphins V Cowboys – Suncorp Stadium – 22.00NZT
A competitive Redcliffe side will wear their 2024 alternate jersey this weekend, which is weird – but whatever.
They have two weeks to try put a cherry on top of their inaugural campaign, and I believe they will be good enough to beat the Cowboys.
North Queensland looked good for 20 minutes last week but lacked cohesion and finished poorly. Their season hangs by a thread. A couple of injuries force their hand, which makes it tough against the Dolphins who have a few key players returning.
Not much in this. I just think the way the Dolphins compete in everything will frustrate the Cows.
TIP: Dolphins 1-12
SATURDAY: Storm V Titans – AAMI Park – 17.00NZT
Melbourne have a bit of a pattern to their season. They play brilliantly, play average, and then play brilliantly again. After an average showing last week, you think they’re up to their brilliant phase.
There are also eyes on Ryan Papenhuyzen in the #19 jersey, with a chance of returning to the NRL for the first time in over a year.
Titans miss Campbell and Sami for their remaining two games, and that dents their attack.
Melbourne will want to lock up a top-four finish, and this goes a long way to getting them home and hosed.
TIP: Storm 13+
Roosters V Tigers – Allianz Stadium – 19.30NZT
I’m really riding the narrative home of Roosters and Souths having to play for a top-eight spot next week, so I’m tipping the Roosters to win.
A much-needed Tigers win last week was actually a good watch. They’ll take plenty of confidence out of it.
I do think though that the Roosters best performance was last week, and they will be building off that, even without their skipper being ruled out due to HIA protocols.
The tri-colours have a glimpse, and they’ll want to leave it all on the line. It’ll be a niggly game for 60 minutes but I think the Roosters will do enough.
TIP: Roosters 1-12
Raiders V Broncos – GIO Stadium – 21.30NZT
A Broncos bye has fallen at the best time for this dynamic side.
The way that these two have been playing lately, it’ll be hard for the Raiders to score enough points against Brisbane who will be well-rested and ready for the finals, with a shot of finishing top at the regular season still in their sights.
Canberra just lack a bit of X factor in comparison. Even with the Broncos missing Reynolds, we’ve seen just how well they play without him.
The Raiders to me want to keep the scores as close as possible, but we’ve seen how well the Broncos play when they’re on the front foot, and if they get a couple of early tries they will be hard to contain.
TIP: Broncos 13+
SUNDAY: Bulldogs V Sea Eagles – Accor Stadium – 16.00NZT
It’s the battle of the disappointing 2023 campaigns as two sides who have underperformed come up against each other in an uninspiring match-up.
Canterbury Bankstown haven’t been able to gather any momentum this season, despite a pretty handy roster. Injuries have definitely played a part in that.
Manly Warringah have been playing a little bit of fuck-it-footy of late and almost pulled a win out of the bag last week.
Keep an eye on debutant Gordon Chan Kum Tong for the Sea Eagles, a dynamic rake that’s been waiting all year for his opportunity.
Both sides have fire-power and try-scorers in their ranks – I just trust Manly’s defence more than I do the Bulldogs.
TIP: Sea Eagles 1-12
Knights V Sharks – McDonald Jones Stadium – 18.05NZT
Both sides are on a bit of a winning streak, with the Sharks nabbing three in a row while Newcastle want seven.
Not only that, the exciting prospect of this match is that both of these sides are competing to finish fourth, or at least get a home final by finishing fifth or sixth.
Newcastle are exciting with ball in hand. They get the work done through the middle and earn the right to play expansive football out wide.
Cronulla play clinically. They’ll kick and turn you around, while also executing well in their opponents’ red zone.
It’s the battle of the left edges in this one. Line breaks and tries galore for both these sides.
This game has awesome written all over it.
TIP: Knights 1-12
BYE – Rabbitohs
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